Page 21 of Brooks

“What’s the plan?”

Declan ran down the mission specifics, outlining what Tatiana’s role was, and surprisingly she hadn’t argued. Max, Thad, and Declan would be point going in first. Kyle would cover the team, and she and I would enter after the team cleared the building.

“I need at least one of them alive,” she told Declan, then added, “and if they have the four tablets, I’d like those, too.”

“That’s the plan,” he reminded her. “But if those tablets are as valuable as Tex says they are, I would expect they’re not going to give up easily.”

“They are,” she confirmed. “Even if only four are left, they’ll bring in a good price.”

“Where’s the money track back to?” Kyle surprisingly asked.

We knew the answer, so either he was testing her candor or he wanted to know what she knew.

“The seller is the Lucre group. I already told you.”

“Right,” Kyle mumbled.

Her eyes narrowed on him. “Apparently, you didn’t like my answer. So, what are you asking exactly? Do I know what Lucre does with the money? Yes, I do. They fund different terrorist organizations. Presumably to keep discord in different tribal areas of Africa. It’s easier to pillage and smuggle artifacts when there is conflict among tribes.”

“Are you familiar with Omni?” I inquired.

“Yes, I know the name. There’s been conspiracy theories about the group for years. Why?”

“Not so much theories, Doll. The man behind Lucre, Prince Mohammad Al Issa, is indeed a member of Omni,” I told her.

There was a flash of anger before she schooled her features and smirked. “So you weren’t really here to check the transoceanic cabling contract?”

“We were. But in conjunction with Omni,” Declan informed her. “It seems your tablets are a better lead.”

“What?” Her hand went to her hip and her posture stiffened. “Now you think you’re going to take over my op?”

“Not necessarily. We’re offering you a…partnership. We can all work together,” Dec continued.

“No fucking way. I’ve worked too damn hard for you guys to come in now and take over. I have my orders and I fully intend to deliver. I already told Brooks, I work alone.”

She was a stubborn little thing, there was no reason for her to turn our offer down. “We don’t want the tablets. Or at least not the way you’re thinking. Our only goal is to take down Al Issa.”

“Which fucks me.”

“How so?” Kyle asked.

“I need him in business. I already told you Lucre is one of the largest smuggling operations. They sell. I buy. Then I can track whatever terrorist organization they’re funding, pass my intel off, and the group is shut down or monitored. If Al Issa is taken out, Lucre crumbles. And, I’m fucked.”

“Dismantling Omni is more important,” Declan argued.

“Says who? You?”

Declan and Tatiana were engaged in a standoff, and Kyle looked pissed.

Declan broke the silence. “This was your idea, Brooks. You deal with her.”

With a shake of his head, he left the dining room with Kyle following.

“Deal with her?” she spit out.

“Doll, you really need to chill the hell out. I don’t know who fucked you over, I’d assume Monroe. But we’re not the enemy. The giant chip on your shoulder is—”

“You keep saying that as if you know me.”